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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #83 -- May 2007 A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum website: http://www.ecauldron.com/ message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/ newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ shopping: http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php http://www.ecauldron.com/doxysbazaar.php ======================================== This issue is dedicated to the memory of longtime Cauldron member Chavi Revanna (Cathlene Patricia McKenna) who lost her battle with cancer on April 1, 2006 ======================================== In this Issue: [00] Editorial Notes: It's May [01] Cauldron News * Standard Membersgroups and their Privileges * Full Membership Requirements * Terms of Service and Rules Modifications * Special Interest Groups * Walkofthefallen.com * New Staff Members: Celtee and Moon Ivy [02] Interesting Recent Cauldron Discussions * Structure vs Fluidity? * Dealing with Doubt? * Dislocation and Getting to Know Your Local Environment * Your Book of Shadows/Grimoire/Journal/Blog? * Pentagram vs. Pentacle? * Spectacularly Bad Info on Pagan Religions? * Altar Pictures * Secrecy and Your Religion? * Secrecy/Surprise in Initiations * I was a Pagan Wack-Job [03] Articles * How to Keep Your Coven from Being Destroyed: Part III * Is It Time For a "Reformed" Hellenic Paganism? * Why We're Touchy About Defining Paganism * Review: Wiccan Wisdomkeepers * Review: Circle, Coven & Grove * Review: Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess * Review: And Banish With Laughter [04] Flamekeeping: Dreams of Perfection and Ego [05] Software Gadgets: The Column * Site Mapping Tool -- Generate a Site Map of your Web Site * SmartStartMenu -- A Start Menu Replacement For Keyboarders * Documeron -- Recent Documents Superpowered [06] Grimoire: To Ease Pain and Renew Hope [07] Recipe: Milkmaid's Blessing [08] Support The Cauldron [09] Newsletter Information (Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ LOOKING FOR PAGAN SUPPLIES? Visit The Cauldron's Pagan Supply Store (An Affiliate of Pagan Shopping Online) http://www.ecauldron.com/esesf.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [00] ========= ========= EDITORIAL NOTES ========= Welcome to the May 2007 issue of Cauldron and Candle. You are receiving this issue because you subscribed. To learn how to unsubscribe, see the last section of this newsletter. It's May. You may be wondering what happened to the April issue. You didn't miss receiving it, we just did not get it out due to real life and moving to the new message board. The message board move has gone fairly smoothly although it is very hard to get used to the new format after years of Delphi/Beehive style boards. Staff and old timers are managing for the most part while many new members don't see why we are having so much trouble. After about 60 days, the new board has over 550 members and 13,800 posts in over 950 topics. If you haven't tried out new SMF board, you might want to join us. This issue has the usual articles and major features -- just more of them as we missed an issue. We hope you enjoy them. Randall Sapphire Editor and Publisher, Cauldron and Candle Co-Host, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum [01] ========= ========= CAULDRON NEWS ========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff ========= ===== ===== Cauldron Message Board Info: ===== STANDARD MEMBERSGROUPS AND THEIR PRIVILEGES ===== There are current four standard non-staff membergroups, each of which has a certain set of privileges in our community areas. === GUEST (Viewers who are not logged in) Guests can * view most community areas * view most public boards (but cannot post) * can access CauldronMUX as a Guest Guests see community area ads. === REGULAR MEMBER (Register to get a Regular membership) Regular members can * can view most community areas * can view most public boards * can post messages on boards in the About the Cauldron and Cauldron Basics categories * can chat in Flashchat * can comment on member blogs * can suggest links for our Link list * can contact other members privately * can select an avatar from those available on the server * can request an account on CauldronMUX * can ignore specific members and specific boards Regular members see Community area ads === FULL MEMBER (Meet requirements and request a full membership) Full membership has all the features of Regular membership PLUS the following: * can post in all public areas of the board * can view and post in the Full Members private board * can play games in our Arcade area * can rate links in our Link area * can link to an avatar on their own server * can have a member blog * can edit their own comments on member blogs Full members do not see Community area ads === CAULDRON SUPPORTER (Make a donation of $25 or more to TC -- valid for one donation year) All the features of Full Membership PLUS the following: * can view and post in the Cauldron Supporters private board * can edit/delete comments made to their member blog * can add links directly to our link area * can assign their own custom title * can use more BBCodes (colors and fonts) Cauldron Supporters do not see Community area ads. === === Post-based Membergroups === At the moment, none of these membergroups give any special privileges, they just give members a fancy title for having made a least a certain number of posts: Newbie Apprentice -- 16+ posts Journeyman -- 100+ posts Master Member -- 250+ posts Adept Member -- 750+ posts High Adept Member -- 2500+ posts Grand Adept Member -- 7500+ posts The above is subject to change. ===== ===== Cauldron Message Board Info: ===== FULL MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS ===== When you register for The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board, you become a what SMF board software calls a "Regular Member." Regular members on The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum have limited posting rights: they can only post messages on boards in the About the Cauldron and Cauldron Basics categories. Regular membership gives full posting access to those areas of our board specifically designed for newcomers. This gives new members a chance to show that they understand and will follow our rules and guidelines while giving them a chance to get used to this board's style and attitude in fairly "safe" areas of the board. The default regular membership may satisfy many members -- especially those new to Pagan religions and magic. There is no requirement to qualify for Full Membership. However, doing so will open up the all the public areas of the board for posting and provide access to many additional features of our community areas. See the Standard Membersgroups and their Privileges message for a list. To be eligible to apply for a Full Membership you must: * Be at least 18 years old * Fill out at least the following fields in your profile: Bio, Birth Religion, Birth Year, Gender, Country, Religion. * Show by your posts that you are willing and able to follow the Cauldron's rules and guidelines. * Show by your posts that you are not a clueless newbie with respect to Pagan religions and magic. We have nothing against complete newcomers (and have several boards set up just for newcomers that any member can post in), but this forum is aimed at those who are no longer complete newcomers. Once you have moved beyond the "clueless and/or misinformed by bad 101 books" stage, you will be ready to think about posting in Full member parts of our board. * Have a post count of at least 15 posts -- good solid posts. (So don't post just to increase your post count, your request will just be rejected.) OR if you were a regular member of our old Beehive board have made at least 25 posts on the Main Board of our old Beehive Forum. * Have been an active member of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's message board for at least one week. Please read the this message to find out how to apply for Full Member status. http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=45.msg197#msg197 ===== ===== Cauldron Message Board Info: ===== TERMS OF SERVICE AND RULES MODIFICATIONS ===== A minor modification has been made to the Terms of Service members agree to when they register for our forum: ADDED: You specifically agree to read the Cauldron Community Rules and Policies post on the Rules and Regulations board before making any post on this forum. Read the full Terms of Service here: * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=117.0 A minor modification has been made to the Cauldron Community Rules and Policies. ADDED TO THE "DO" RULES: DO follow instructions/suggestions from staff members and hosts about how to post and/or behave on The Cauldron (quoting, formatting messages, etc.). Staff members have no interest in hearing why you would rather not do it the standard TC way. You can read the Cauldron Community Rules and Policies here: * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=16.0 Also, our Research Guidelines have been updated with the following note. I would think it obvious, but apparently some people don't think using PMs and/or Email sent from this board to contact members to take their research surveys is using this board for research. NOTE: While I would think it obvious, these rules apply to sending members PMs and Email from the board with research oriented surveys and questions. If you are using this board in any way to question/query our members for research, you must obtain permission first. Trying to avoid getting permission by sending PMs or Emails to members from the board is rude and annoying behavior. You can read our Research Guidelines here: * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=34.0 ===== ===== Cauldron Message Board Info: ===== SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ===== Now that The Cauldron's message board has a different organization, we have added "Special Interest Groups" area to our message board. This is a place where members can request a topic for focused discussion/activity on a subject of special interest to a group of our members. Special Interest Groups need not be directly related to Paganism or even to religion -- but those that aren't may require good reasons for the staff to approve and set them up. Special Interest Group topics are for focused discussion and thread drift will be less tolerated than it is most places on the message board. Each SIG will have a SIG Leader (Or SIG Leaders) who will have limited moderator authority to keep the thread on topic and to enforce minor rules violations. Special Interest Groups will start with a single topic in our general Special Interest Group board, but may add a few other topics if needed as time goes on. Popular and active SIGS may eventually get their own child board. SIGs with their own child board may have additional rules specific to their child board. Additional Rules for threads in the Special Interest Group Board: 1. Thread drift is unwelcome. Posts in threads in this board need to be clearly and directly related to the thread's topic as described in the first post of a thread. If a discussion sparks questions or ideas outside the narrow focus of the discussion, feel free to start a new topic in elsewhere on the message board. 2. SIG topics are primarily for members of the particular SIG. Non-members (e.g. those not actively participating in the work/activities of the SIG) are normally welcome to ask questions, but not to tell SIG members how to do things, what to believe, etc. That is, SIG threads are not normally a place for outsiders to debate with SIG members. 3. Any adult, active Cauldron participant in good standing rules- wise can request a SIG topic and it will normally be granted provided that other members show interest in participating and the purpose of the group is obviously related to Pagan or other religions. Non-religion-related SIGs and SIGs for teens require Co-Host approval. SIG Topics cannot be started until a good first post explaining the purpose and scope of the SIG is provided to staff so they can create the topic. SIGs topics (or child boards) that are not active or those cause problems may be shut down without notice. SIG leaders serve at the pleasure of the Co- Hosts. === === Current SIGS === The following SIGS have already been established: === Cauldron Cill The Cauldron Cill is a Brighidine Flamekeeping group, where members tend Brighid’s flame in rotating shifts. This SIG board is a place for Keepers to share their experiences during shifts, collaborate on projects, and share poetry, artwork and prayers, amongst other things. * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?board=61.0 === Otherkin SIG This is a special interest group for Otherkin and 'Kin friendly members of TC. This is a place to discuss those "Other" things that we may not have felt comfortable talking about in other sections of the forum. Everyone is welcome here as long as they are respectful of others' beliefs and experiences. * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=388.0 === Reformed Celtic Polytheism SIG The Reformed Celtic Polytheism SIG is a "reformed recon"-oriented board focused on Celtic Polytheism and related ancient beliefs and is developing a modern Celtic Polytheistic religion that is strongly informed by academic information on ancient beliefs but does attempt to strictly reconstruct ancient practices. * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?board=63.0 === Reformed Hellenic Polytheism SIG The Reformed Hellenic Polytheism SIG is a "reformed recon"- oriented board focused on Hellenic Polytheism and related ancient beliefs and is developing a modern Hellenic Polytheistic religion that is strongly informed by academic information on ancient beliefs but does attempt to strictly reconstruct ancient practices. * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?board=60.0 === Reformed Kemeticism SIG The Reformed Kemeticism SIG is a "reformed recon"-oriented board focused on Kemeticism and related ancient beliefs. The primary purpose of this SIG is to develop a modern Kemetic religion that is strongly informed by academic information on ancient Kemetic beliefs and practices but does not attempt to strictly reconstruct ancient practices. * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?board=62.0 ===== ===== WALKOFTHEFALLEN.COM ===== Many longtime members will remember Cyn (LABYRS on our old board) and her Walk of the Fallen, a labyrinth dedicated to soldiers who have lost their lives in the current Iraq (and Afghanistan) War. She and her son have finally created a very nice web site for it at: * http://walkofthefallen.com/ ===== ===== NEW STAFF MEMBERS: MOON IVY AND CELTEE ===== Moon Ivy will be on our message board staff where her primary duty will be working with our new SIGs: helping members start SIGS and helping SIG Leaders run them. You can congratulate Moon Ivy in this thread: * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=992.0 Celtee is also joining our message board staff in a more general capacity: helping to oversee our message board. You can congratulate Moon Ivy in this thread: * http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=991.0 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ PAGAN-FRIENDLY WEB HOSTING http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech. Pagan sites are welcome! 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Visit Dreamhost for Affordable, Pagan-Friendly Hosting http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [02] ========= ========= INTERESTING RECENT CAULDRON DISCUSSIONS ========= Recent Discussion Topics on our Message Board ========= In an average month, over 200 new discussion topics are started on The Cauldron's message board. Here are a few of the more interesting recent discussions. It's not too late to join in. Thanks to Feedburner, you can now receive an email every night on days we post new site news items to the main page of The Cauldron's web site. These emails contain a link to the new item and the first couple of lines of the news text. You can sign up for Feedburner's free news delivery via the form at the end of the site "News and Updates" section of The Cauldron's main web page. ===== ===== Structure vs Fluidity? ===== How much structure do we have in our beliefs? How much structure do we need in our beliefs? A Pantheon? A Ceremony? Ritual? Worship? What makes me an effective massage therapist is that I am very intuitive - my hands are constantly asking questions, and the client (equine or human) is answering in one way or another. That is how I practice my Spirituality - always asking, and waiting for the answers. It's organic, like tree roots that follow the water, and grow along the path of least resistance. This does lead to problems; I am at once trying to keep up with some Internet forums, write a novel, build a massage clientele, and working a 48+ hour per week job. Sometimes the tree needs pruning, or at least trimming. So instead of a grid, or formal structure of any significant scale, I have fluidity. Anyone's beliefs are valid to them, and I respect that. In the case of Osama bin Laden and other fundies, I don't agree (in that they are detrimental to society as a whole), but I still respect these views as being truth from a certain point of view. What structure I do have is on a very small scale, sort of like the grains of sand in an oyster; these grains being along the lines of all life is sacred, even tasty life such as deer and apples, or everyone has something to teach me, even if it is negative in nature, or if I'm not enjoying myself, I need to examine my intent. Certainly lack of structure has hampered me in some ways. I accept this as an imperfection, but I hardly expect myself to be perfect. Being effective is much more important. Perhaps more structure in some aspects of my life would help me be more effective, but that is something that will have to grow, organically, once I give it permission. Thoughts? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=924.0 ===== ===== Dealing with Doubt? ===== How do you deal with doubt? What happens when you suddenly think "What if I'm just making this up?" and what do you do to get on track? I'd post an answer if I had one. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=891.0 ===== ===== Dislocation and Getting to Know Your Local Environment ===== I have trying to become more in tune with my environment as it relates to my practice--noting when the leaves come out, when they fall, when the first snow comes, the first blistering hot day of summer and so on. I would like to incorporate these things into my practice, and set up a more "localized" calendar that will help me feel more in tune with the earth. The thing is, I'm a little displaced. I am a student living in Philadelphia, PA who originally hails from (and returns to in the summer and winter breaks) San Antonio, Texas. As might be inferred, the climate is quite different in Texas than Philly-- for one thing, we have no fall, and summer lasts from April to November. In Philly, there is such a thing as fall and such a thing as snow, and there is such a concept as "fall weather fashion." My question is: Are there others in my position, and how do you reconcile your displacement with the local seasons and changing climate? Do you try to adapt to the environment you're temporarily in? Or do you follow the seasons of where you feel "at home," even if that home is miles away? To me, the latter seems a little like what Neo-Paganism does anyway--celebrating basically the climate and seasonal change of Ireland--which is quite a long way away, but convenient (and widespread) enough for use. Since I am here in Philly nine months of the year, most of my "seasonal acknowledgements" would occur during my stay here. But Texas... is where I truly feel at home, and truly feel connected, because my family and my "hearth" is there. When I am in Philly, I never really shake off the student feeling--that I'm just here temporarily, I'm not here to stay. How do I stay connected to a "home-y" pattern when I'm away from home for the majority of the year, and how do I still honor traditional seasonal changes like fall and winter (and important festivals like Imbolc) when I am at home where summer is the general rule of the year? Any thoughts? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=881.0 ===== ===== Your Book of Shadows/Grimoire/Journal/Blog? ===== What, if anything, do you keep to record your path, experiences, spells or whatever it is that you feel the need to record? I have a private wiki myself. Kinda geeky, I know, but it's working for me so far. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=877.0 ===== ===== Pentagram vs. Pentacle? ===== have been a solitary Wiccan for almost 5 years now and one specific topic continues to puzzle me. The usage for the terms pentagram and pentacle. -Some people say that Pentagram is used for Satanism and a Pentacle is used in Wicca. -Some say the Pentagram is inverted and a Pentacle is upright. -Some say the Pentagram is simply the term for the 5-pointed star and a Pentacle is the 5-pointed star in a circle and that's all that make them different. -Some say that the term Pentagram is used to describe a 2-D design such as on paper and Pentacle is used for a 3-D design of the same thing such as a necklace. -Some say the circle doesn't have anything to do with the terms...some say it has everything to do with it. I am just so confused when it comes down to this. I encountered one Wiccan who had tattoos of a 5-pointed star in a circle. She called it a pentagram because it was drawn. Another that I ran into was offended that I called her tattoo a pentagram because it was obviously a pentacle because of the circle encompassing the star. HELP!! I am tired of offending people. I myself have Wiccan tattoos and have always referred to them as pentagrams regardless of the circle or not...because I always followed the 2-D/3-D version of terminology. I need a hand with this one! * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=860.0 ===== ===== Spectacularly Bad Info on Pagan Religions? ===== Sifting out accurate information on Pagan practices and beliefs can be hard -- especially given the reams of dreck that fill bookstore shelves. What is your favorite (favorite, of course, being a relative term) bit of bad information on Pagan religion? Not simply somewhat misinformed or misguided, or a vague over generalization, but spectacularly, laughably wrong? Give it some bonus points if actually attempting to use the bad information will result in deep embarrassment, grievous bodily harm, or the enraging of various deities. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=646.0 ===== ===== Altar Pictures ===== There is another thread in Pagan Religions 101 where people are describing the altars they have at home. I enjoyed reading these descriptions, but pictures would be even better. If you have pictures of your altar(s) and would not mind sharing them here, please do. I'll start with a a picture of the simple bookcase altar I have to Asherah. It is for offerings (coins and other small "treasures" which go into the vase). It is also a focus for prayers and meditation. It does not contain any of the common pagan symbols or intentionally include the four elements. I have another altar that is more general. This one is specifically for Asherah. * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=588.0 ===== ===== Secrecy and Your Religion? ===== What role does secrecy play in your religion? Why? What happens if people find out information they're not "ready" for? What determines readiness? If you can answer without breaking oath, what is the shape of things that is hidden and why? (names of gods, initiation rituals, specifics of what happens in rituals? Other things?) If this information is risky for people to find out in the wrong order, what is the result of screwing up? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=523.0 ===== ===== Secrecy/Surprise in Initiations ===== In paths requiring initiations, is it important that an prospective initiate does not know exactly what will happen at the initiation ceremony? I have this idea that the "element of surprise" is important, but I can't remember where I picked it up, or if I subconsciously invented it, so I'm wondering what you all think. Does "surprise" matter? And if so, why? I would guess it increases emotional impact, but I'm sure there could be other reasons. Along the same line, if the initiate is not supposed to know the initiation ritual, what happens if they somehow find out early? Does this render them ineligible, or do you create a new one, or something else? * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=465.0 ===== ===== I was a Pagan Wack-Job ===== Pagan wack-jobs. They troll our boards and steal our TV time, living in their own little worlds. We all like to pass around a good story about self-proclaimed witch queens and Atlantean Dolphin Masters. But I sometimes wonder exactly how many of us have been there. I say this because I myself was once totally, completely, straight up batshit crazy. Ok, well, maybe that's a harsh way of saying it, but I was definitely living in my own little world, designing personal epics to make myself feel special. Just like the "what if this is all a dream?" or the "what if I'm gay?" question, I think there comes a time in every person's life when they ask themselves, "what if I'm the second coming of Christ?" Only for me, it was, "what if I'm the last incarnation of Vishnu? Vishnu's much cooler than Jesus..." And my self-esteem was just low enough that I decided to go ahead and run with that. It didn't matter that I was female, raised Catholic, and Puerto Rican. I needed to believe. I did constantly question this belief throughout, which I guess could mean that I wasn't deluded in the traditional, clinical sense - and that might be the difference between someone like me (who eventually came to her senses) and someone like the Heaven's Gate leader. But still, it was a bad place to be in. So I wonder how many here may have been in a similar place, and how they got themselves out of it. Was it an adolescent thing that you grew out of? Did someone, mortal or divine, snap you out of it? Does anyone have any similarly ridiculous stories to share? I mean...I can't be the only one, right? ::laughs nervously:: (Pre-emptive Note: This isn't meant as a criticism of the Pagan community...however, I do think that certain New Age ideas (like how everyone has a spirit guide and everyone has a special purpose on earth) can have a tendency to feed our egos in the worst ways, producing countless ex-Cleopatras and Second Comings. Not that other religious systems don't have similar traps to fall into. Tibetan monks must be willing to "risk madness and death" to follow the Buddha...and I think the same might be true for the rest of us.) * Read (or join in) this discussion: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=320.0 [03] ========= ========= ARTICLES ========= ===== ===== HOW TO KEEP YOUR COVEN FROM BEING DESTROYED ===== Part 3 (of 7): Troll Philosophy ===== by Eran ===== This series has been exploring how to deal with destructive people in Pagan Covens. There is a class of people who are driven to tear others down and to break apart the things which others build. I've called these people "trolls", utilizing the very powerful and very old European image of these destructive chaotic forces. Destructive and powerful, yes - but easily outwitted, and almost comic, once you understand what drives them, and where their weak points are. Trolls love to use vital Pagan principles inappropriately to cover their own destructive actions. This technique is often quite effective, because it can make their actions sound reasonable, even to their victims. This makes it harder to justify ejecting a troll from your group, even when the troll is blatantly tearing everything apart. These problems are particularly troublesome in larger umbrella organizations, where you have to use formal procedures to kick out a troll. A troll can manipulate Pagan principles to get a few people actually defending the troll's actions, and can cause dissension and outright warfare within the group of people trying to figure out what to do. There are aspects of Pagan philosophy which trolls find it easy to manipulate to their advantage. Once trolls are uncovered, they often will defend themselves with inappropriate recourse to concepts such as subjective realities, perfect trust, the Wiccan Rede, running one's own recovery, constructing one's own ethical code, counter-accusations of authoritarianism, and so on. The excuses trolls come up with can sometimes sound very convincing. They can be convincing to other Coveners, to other members of the local Pagan community, and to other members of larger Pagan umbrella organizations. They can even sound convincing to you, as their target. They can cause you to hesitate or to be unsure of yourself at a time when what you need is self-confidence. === === Twisting Principles === Here are some sample strategies which trolls will use, some examples of the way trolls twist Pagan thought to defend or explain away destructive or unethical behavior: * Catch a troll in a lie, and the troll will go on about subjective realities, and how things "felt" a certain way to the troll, and you have no right to impose your personal perceptions of reality upon those of the troll. Don't Pagans value the subjective perceptions of all people? * You'll also be told not to impose your ethics upon the troll. Don't trolls have as much right as you do to create their own sense of ethics? Don't Pagans value the idea of encouraging individuals to construct their own ethical guidelines, their own means of contact with Divinity? * If you're reluctant to accept the word of a troll who's lied to you in the past, you'll be accused of not approaching that troll with the level of love and trust you really should have. Don't these ideals mean you must accept what the troll tells you? Don't they mean you must forgive and forget? * Consider ejecting a troll from your Coven, and you'll run afoul of the Rede's admonition to "harm none." How dare you do such a dreadful thing to a poor troll? Aren't you causing harm, and interfering with the will of another person? * Some trolls are well versed in the language (but not the meaning) of 12-step programs. Tell a troll to desist in destructive behavior, and you'll be told not to "interfere" in the troll's "recovery program." Aren't Pagans tolerant of all paths? * Tell a troll that certain destructive behaviors are simply not tolerated in your Coven, and you'll suddenly become authoritarian and inflexible and overcontrolling. Pagans are opposed to authoritarianism, aren't they? * If you express an opinion the troll doesn't care for, you'll be labeled a One-True-Wayist and possibly even compared to an Inquisitor or Pope or some such. Pagans are opposed to enforced dogma; how dare you push your ways onto others? Of course, in all cases, the troll uses these Pagan principles as excuses and as ways to avoid accepting responsibility for his or her own behavior. (Isn't the troll trying to avoid the consequences of the Threefold Law?) Such arguments are used merely to distract you (and whoever else is involved) away from the real, central issue - which is the actions of the troll, the actions which the troll is trying to mask behind an inappropriate appeal to misapplied principles. In no case should you argue these points with a troll. It will serve no purpose. Once you are completely convinced that it is a troll you're dealing with, arguing these things will accomplish nothing. In fact, it only plays into the troll's hand. Arguing about matters of principle - rather than paying attention to the troll's actions - is exactly what the troll wants you to do, because it is a distraction. Besides, the troll can use your arguments to claim you are opposed to these very common and very basic principles of Pagan philosophy. If there's anyone listening to the conversation, it will, inevitably, make you look bad. === === Responses === Here are some counter-arguments, which you can use within yourself. Again, don't bother to make these counter-arguments to the troll. Use them to encourage yourself to take the actions you know must be taken. Use them to shore up your confidence. Use them to shut out the distractions which the troll is trying to raise. * If the troll claims privileges based on subjective realities or personal ethics, or any of the other Pagan principles which rely on the sanctity of the individual, always keep in mind: those principles apply to you as well. The perceptions of the individual matter, and are valued, and each person must act in ways consistent with that person's sense of ethics and of contact with the Gods. Which means you, too, have the right to act upon your perceptions and ethics. If you perceive someone as dishonest and untrustworthy and destructive, then act in ways appropriate to those perceptions, and to the ethical principles you value. Do not let the troll dictate perceptions or ethics to you. * The love and trust we're "supposed" to feel toward each other is not supposed to be blind. It needs to be appropriate, and precisely in keeping with the nature of whatever you're dealing with. You may have perfect love and trust for a rabid mongoose. That doesn't mean you'll treat it as you would treat a housecat. It means you'll treat it as a perfectly rabid mongoose, and take the steps which are perfectly appropriate in dealing with it. You'll trust it to act like a mongoose. If someone lies to you repeatedly, you are being cruel - to yourself, to your Coveners, to your Gods, and, ultimately, to the person - if you refuse to treat that person as a habitual liar. * The Rede says to "harm none" - and that includes you. By allowing the lies and manipulations of a troll to damage you, you're actively participating in the harm being done to you, to your Coveners, to your Tradition, and to anyone else being affected by the troll. If you refuse to eject a troll from your Coven, you are responsible for the harm done to your Coven from then on. * By allowing the troll to continue harmful actions without consequences, you're engaged in what 12-step programs call "enabling". Sometimes, someone addicted to drugs or alcohol is protected by friends and family members - they might make excuses for the person at work, or bail the addict out of jail, or, through a sense of love and loyalty, they might try to protect the addict from the harmful effects of his or her own actions. But this only encourages self- (and other-) destructive behavior to continue. And that does more harm. Yet you don't really want to impose your will on others else by attempting to control their actions. The solution is straightforward: "You can act however you want - but not around me." If a troll tries to spring 12-step jargon on you, just invoke "tough love" and tell the troll to take his or her recovery program elsewhere. * Is this authoritarian? Certainly not. No one is required to stay in your Coven. People who are there, are there by choice. Consenting adults and all that. As a Coven Leader, you have every right to run your Coven however you feel is proper, and other people have the right to participate or not, as they feel is proper. Authoritarianism can only happen where there is some means of compulsion. There can be no authoritarianism where there is assent, and no one stays in your Coven unless they personally choose to do so. You don't have the right (or the power!) to control others. But as a Coven Leader, you do have the right (and the responsibility!) to set the ground rules for your Coven. On the other hand, a troll has no right to force you to allow the troll to remain in contact with you, or with your Coveners. A troll has no right to dictate what behavior is acceptable in your Coven, and what behavior is not. Those are rights which you hold. * Are you a One-True-Wayist simply because you express an opinion? Of course not! Charges of authoritarianism or One- True-Wayism are simply absurd in any Pagan context. We have no way of enforcing belief, nor of compelling practice. Any Pagan who doesn't like the beliefs of practice of someone else is always free to go elsewhere, or to stop associating with the person with whom they disagree. A person who makes public accusations of authoritarianism or One-True-Wayism is, beyond doubt, a troll who is simply trying to stir anger toward a target. Ignore such tactics when directed at others, and when they're directed at you, don't give them a thought. Charges of One-True-Wayism are made simply in an attempt to embarrass you and get you to shut up. Indeed, they are examples of the troll trying to force his or her opinions onto others. The troll is trying to silence a point of view with which he or she disagrees! Who is the actual One-True-Wayist here? === === Healthy Self-Doubt === It is healthy and it is important to question yourself. A Coven Leader who never doubts his or her own actions and decisions is a dangerous person whom it would be wise to stay away from. But a Coven Leader who allows self-doubt to prevent effective and necessary action is equally dangerous. Yes, re-examine your understanding of ethical issues, frequently and deeply. Don't assume you're always right, lest you cast yourself into the role of an infallible Pope willing to burn others for mere disagreement. (In fact, a refusal to question oneself is one of the hallmarks of a troll!) But equally, don't refuse to make decisions, just because others might disagree with them. Coven Leaders have the responsibility to take what steps are necessary to protect their Covens. That's one of their primary jobs. Coveners rely on them, and expect them, to do this. It is not a power seized unjustly or arbitrarily; it is a power granted by the Coveners, by virtue of them asking to join - and to remain in - the Coven. If you let a troll manipulate you by playing on your self-doubts, you're falling down on your responsibilities to people who have trusted you with their spiritual growth. Indeed, this inappropriate manipulation of healthy self-questioning is yet another example of trollish misapplication of important Pagan principles! What you need here is to be clear on these principles in your own mind. Give careful thought to these issues, and do your best to understand them thoroughly. But the time to engage in such introspection is not during a period of crisis. Solve these questions in your own mind before they become issues argued by a troll. "Solving" does not mean you never come back to them. It's useful and productive to come back to these issues again and again, and to let your view of them expand and grow as time goes on. But when there's someone actively tearing your Coven apart, it's time for direct action, action based on preparations and understandings you've already achieved. Afterwards, there'll be time to reassess and improve your understandings further. People grow by making mistakes, and learning from those mistakes. Don't be afraid to let yourself make some mistakes. Take the actions you feel are right, and then learn from them. Have frequent discussions within your Coven about matters such as this, so your Coveners understand the issues as thoroughly as you do. If a troll begins to present misapplied principles as excuses for unethical behavior, you want your Coveners to see through those tactics as well. Again, don't argue these points with the troll. In a Coven situation, that only prolongs the pain. Get rid of the critter, and then afterward you'll have all the time you need to de-brief with your Coveners. In larger settings - formal churches and umbrella groups - things get a little more complicated, because you usually have to present a case to some council or governing board in order to get rid of a troll. There, it's possible for the troll to bollix up the works by raising these issues, and insisting they get argued out before an expulsion vote is taken. Handling his situation is a topic for anther time; for now, just keep in mind that any Pagan organization should 1) discuss these issues long before a crisis takes place so they're already thoroughly understood, and 2) have rules of procedure in order to stay on topic during discussions about possible disciplinary actions. Next time, I'll talk about some aspects of Paganism which make Pagan groups particularly vulnerable to trolls, and particularly attractive targets for destructive people. It's important to understand our weak points, because these are the very places where troll attacks are likely to come. === About the Author Copyright (c) 2002 David Petterson May be recirculated as long as this information is included ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Please support our sponsor +++ PAGAN FRIENDLY WEB HOSTING AT DREAMHOST http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php Dreamhost offers high-quality, low cost web hosting with a dedication to free speech. Pagan sites are welcome! Read why we use Dreamhost for The Cauldron's web site: http://www.ecauldron.com/web/whydreamhost.php $9.95/Month Plan Features: 160 gigs web space -- 1600 gigs/month bandwidth -- 3000 email boxes (POP3/IMAP) -- 75 ftp/shell accounts -- host unlimited domains/subdomains -- php4, php5, cgi, fastcgi, ssi, zend optimizer, ruby on rails -- unlimited MySQL databases -- announcement lists -- discussion lists -- Jabber server -- Crontab and Shell access -- Web-based Control Panel -- One-Click installs of the Wordpress, PhpBB, and many more -- One FREE domain name -- 1 free domain name -- helpful tech support -- much more! Visit Dreamhost for Affordable, Pagan-Friendly Hosting http://www.ecauldron.com/web/zdreamhost.php +++ Please support our sponsor +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ===== ===== IS IT TIME FOR A "REFORMED" HELLENIC PAGANISM? ===== by Randall Sapphire ===== === === Why Reconstructionist Religion Does Not Always Work === I'm going to say something that is going to upset a number of people, but after much thought, I've come to the conclusion that Reconstructionism can be a dead end for certain types of religion: specifically more highly organized state religions -- like the religion of ancient Greece. The main reason should be obvious. The highly organized state religions of ancient civilizations cannot really be recreated without large numbers of people in one location with a lot of money to spend building temples, supporting the priests of the Gods who maintain those temples, and recreating the often lavish, state-supported festivals of those religions. There is also the problem of context. In ancient Greek religion, each city-state had somewhat different important deities and festivals tailored to the history (both mythological and real) of their city. Detailed records only survived for Athens so most Hellenic recons focus on Athens for their religious calendar and festivals -- even though they do not live there and some of the festivals held in Athens really only make sense if you live in ancient Athens. A third problem is difference in culture between the classical era and the twenty-first century. It's not just obvious things like the fact that men and women are equal today while women were definitely second class citizens in most of ancient Greece, it's seeming minor things like not having anyone home for many hours during the day to safely keep a home fire burning or the rigid work schedule of work weeks and weekends that makes holding a large number of religious festivals during the work week almost impossible for most people. For years I've watched recon-oriented Hellenic groups try to do the nearly impossible: recreate ancient Hellenic religious practices with a tiny membership scattered across the world. Why do these groups try for the near impossible? I honestly do not know, but I think it is because to do otherwise isn't "recon enough." Doing less would be slipping toward Hellenic-favored Neo-Wicca or something else obviously not Recon. Therefore, from what I've seen, you end up with a large number of people interested in Hellenic Paganism and in worshipping the Gods of Ancient Greece joining one of the various Hellenic Recon groups. Most members drift away after a year or two because these organizations generally offer only a place to talk and the hope of some type of regular (and practical) religious observances sometime in the future. Does it have to be this way? If one is trying to recreate the religion of classical Athens, I suspect it does for all the reasons listed in the first few paragraphs of this editorial. But what if one were to drop this somewhat unrealistic goal and try to create a Hellenic religion for the modern world? I'm talking about a middle road between trying to reconstruct an ancient religion and grafting the Hellenic Gods on to some generic neo- Pagan ritual. There is a lot of area between those two extremes, after all. === === Reformed Hellenism -- Off the Top of My Head === I started thinking about this idea yesterday and I have already thought of a way to start a practical Hellenic religion that would work without the need for large groups or lots of money for festivals, that would work without requiring its members to become scholars of Classical Greek Religion to do anything, and yet try to remain true to the spirit of Ancient Greek religious belief and practice. If I can come up with an outline of something minimal, but workable in 24 hours, I suspect that with a bit of effort some type of "Reformed Modern Hellenic Paganism" in the middle ground between strict reconstructionism and generic neo-Paganism is quite possible. Here's the basic outline: Major Festivals (One a month, normally on a Sunday) There are 12 months in a modern year and 12 Olympic deities, so have one festival a month honoring each of the Twelve. These festivals would start simple, but could be added to as the religion grew. They would be feasts (very true to ancient Greek practice) with some type of sacrifice to the deity being honored and the reading of some of the myths about the deity and/or the hymns to the deity. Perhaps part of the day could be dedicated to activities in the deities areas of interest as well. These festivals could be done by a family or a small local group (if there are enough Hellenic Pagans in the area). No need for lots of people and lots of money. Minor Festivals (3 or 4 a month, the Sundays not a Major Festival) 1) Minor feast with sacrifice/libation to deities important to family/group 2) Study of Hellenic myths and/or philosophy. Daily Practice: 1) Prayers 2) Some type of home fire to Hestia (perhaps real while someone is home and symbolic when no one is home?) 3) Libations to a different deity each day. 4) Divination when needed I agree that this is simple, but I think it is better to start with something simple that can be done by just about anyone truly interested in worshipping the Greek Gods than something so complex that it scares people way. After all, as time goes on, one can always add to a simple start. Is this one "one true way" to do a modern Hellenic religion? Of course not. The fact that it is just a very basic outline I thought up in 24 hours should make this obvious. But it is a starting point. A starting point that is actually doable instead of a wish and a hope for "someday" (when there are large numbers of members of our religion in every city so we can recreate Athenian festivals without looking silly). Notes: 1) I realize that the lists of the twelve Olympians vary. The exact deities and which month their major festival would be is something that would have to be decided. 2) Sunday was picked for festivals because it is one of the two weekend days that most people are likely to have off from work and because it seemed more appropriate to honor the Gods on the first day of the week (Sunday) than on the last day of the week (Saturday). === === Discuss this Article === You can discuss this article on our message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=260.0 === === About the Author === Randall is a Hellenic Pagan and a Co-Host of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. ===== ===== WHY WE'RE TOUCHY ABOUT DEFINING PAGANISM ===== by Star ===== "A Pagan religion is a religion that is not Jewish, Christian, or Islamic and self-identifies as Pagan." This is the standard definition of Paganism put forth by The Cauldron, as stated in our Pagan Primer. It's amazing how much controversy has sprung up on the forum, both over this one little sentence and around the act of trying to come up with a definition at all, over the years. Newcomers to the forum often stumble into it unawares, either by bringing up issues with our standard definition or by stating the definitions they use, which often don't coincide with the one listed above. They may not even touch the definition issue itself directly, but instead make an incorrect assumption about what Pagans are or do based on their current knowledge of Paganism, and find themselves the recipient of a hostile response they do not understand the reason for. Even people who have been here for some time may not grasp the driving forces behind these reactions. It is my hope, in this article, to give some insight into the history of this issue on the Cauldron. I hope that this will make the general reaction to it more comprehensible. There is, to begin with, a general history of people in various venues attempting to describe Paganism as "earth-based" or "earth-centered". Generally, this means that the Earth is held sacred by Pagans or is central to Pagan religion in some way, and/or that the religion's festival dates are determined by the cycle of the seasons. This is an ongoing problem for many posters at The Cauldron because this is not an accurate way to describe their religions. While the Earth and the seasons may play a significant role in many of the Wicca-based religions that dominate Paganism in the public eye today, there are also many faiths in which they hold no significance at all. In some religions, there are harvest festivals and the like which may seem tied to the seasons and thus might appear to qualify them as "earth-based", but often they are only a few festivals among many. There are earthy deities, but generally they have other spheres of influence as well and again are in the minority. A few earth-centric qualities does not an earth-centric religion make. I speak of the "earth-based" problem here because it's a handy example. It is certainly not the only point of controversy, just one of the most prominent ones. However, any time a more specific definition than our standard one is brought up, the result tends to be the same. There is always at least one person on the forum, and usually more, whose religion doesn't fall under the definition given. They see yet another person in a long line of people trying to tell them (as they see it) that they don't count, that they don't know what their religion "really" is, or that they have no right to use a term they feel describes them. Tired of being told these things, the "excluded" poster responds in frustration and probably with some anger or sarcasm. The proposed definition never does quite work out, and everyone involved is left with raw nerves from the incident. An interesting thing to note is that although we currently focus on who is being excluded by a definition, that was not necessarily how things started out. Earlier in the history of this issue, more specific definitions such as those including the term "earth-based" (or similar) were not always seen as exclusionary. Rather, the assumption--apparently on both sides of the argument--was sometimes that everyone involved had the same right to the term, and everyone was included under the proposed definition. Thus, terms such as "earth-based" were not seen as exclusionary in these cases, but rather as attempts to define people's religion for them. When a definition was brought forth that said Pagans were earth-based, it was seen as an attempt to tell people using the label "Pagan" that they really were earth-based whether they thought they were or not. If you have ever been told by a fundie that as a Pagan you "really" worship the devil even though you yourself know you don't, you can probably sympathize with the frustration people felt over this. In some ways it was even more upsetting than simply being excluded, because it wasn't just telling a person they didn't belong; it was telling them they didn't know the reality of their own religion. When discussing definitions of Paganism on The Cauldron, this is something that is very important to keep in mind. For those of us who remember these older discussions, this is part of the history of the issue and something that will color our responses to any new messages on the subject. As hard as it might be to believe, that's the short version. To really understand the history of this issue at The Cauldron, though, you probably need to go back to March 2002, when we had a run-in with an American political group called the Pagan Unity Campaign (PUC). If you have a few hours to sit around and read archives, there are two threads on our old Delphi board you might want to check out: Pagan Unity Campaign http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=5924.1 New Definition of Paganism http://forums.delphiforums.com/CUSTOM7999/messages?msg=5945.1 === === Discuss this Article === You can discuss this article on our message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=661.0 === === About the Author === Star is Message Board Coordinator of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum which regularly puts her in these discussions. ===== ===== REVIEW: WICCAN WISDOMKEEPERS ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Wiccan Wisdomkeepers: Modern-day Witches Speak on Environmentalism, Feminism, Motherhood, Wiccan Lore, and More by Sally Griffyn published 2002 by Weiser Books Paperback 144 pages ISBN: 1578632579 See this book on Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1578632579 Sometimes I wonder how I manage to miss books for as long as I do. For years I have been bemoaning the scarcity of books devoted to the people of Witchcraft instead of just the basic "nuts and bolts" (the "101" books). This book has been on the market for years and I just discovered it. The Introduction to this book gives some of the basics people should know to have a basic understanding of our religion. The rest of the book, however, is more in the nature (if you'll pardon the pun" of short biographies/philosophies of a dozen different Witches running the gamut from Doreen Valiente to Patricia Kennealy Morrison. Some of them are household names in the Pagan community and some are lesser-known individuals. In every case, the individuals are careful to make clear that they are not trying to indicate how others should see the Craft, or how they should practice. What they are conveying is how they, as individuals, see and practice their Craft. It was a real pleasure to read the thoughts of the individuals contained here. I was already familiar with some of those philosophies, but I found myself learning a great deal. It is a good chance for people to learn how others think about the Craft. ===== ===== REVIEW: CIRCLE, COVEN & GROVE ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Circle, Coven & Grove: A Year of Magickal Practice by Deborah Blake published 2007 by Llewellyn Paperback 253 pages ISBN: 0738710334 See This Book at Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0738710334 This book is definitely a "101" book. It is designed to provide basic ideas and structure for a year's worth of rituals. However, unlike many books of basics, this one supplies ideas for New and Full Moons attuned to each month. Of course, the author makes sure to state early that the reader is not bound by the ideas contained in the book. As she points out, she has presented to concept of a "rebirthing" ritual as appropriate for an April Full Moon, but if you feel the need for such a ritual at some other time of the year it may be used whenever you need it. She provides some basics of Wiccan philosophy and history and, very importantly in my opinion, some basics of Circle etiquette. She claims that this chapter "may well be the most important chapter" in the book. I agree fully with that statement. It is nice that she provides some correspondences and some definitions and all the rest, but Circle etiquette is the lubrication which allows individuals and groups to work together smoothly. Although Wicca is a highly individualistic religion, it is necessary to share come commonalities, and Circle etiquette IS such a commonality Some of the ritual instructions are a little strange to me, but that is a function of the fact that I was trained in a lineaged tradition and she is Eclectic. I have no doubt that her directions and instructions will work and be effective. She stresses the importance of listening to your inner voice to decide what is right for you and your group. Perhaps my one major objection to the way this book is set up is Ms. Blake's assumption that, in any given month, the New Moon will always precede the Full Moon. That isn't always a valid assumption; as well know (for example, this month started with a Full Moon). While some experienced practitioners can make adjustments easily, newcomers might find this disconcerting. The sample invocations and meditations she provides are doubtlessly effective. They give a variety of ideas to work with and can certainly provide some needed inspiration for developing your own ideas. ===== ===== REVIEW: PRIESTESS OF AVALON, PRIESTESS OF THE GODDESS ===== by Mike Gleason ===== Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess by Kathy Jones Published 2006 by Green Magic Paperback 530 pages ISBN 0955290813 See this book at Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0955290813 As a general rule, I try to steer away from books which are extremely radical, as I feel that the "average" reader may have difficulty relating to such concepts and the "average reader" in my intended audience. Many strongly feminist works fall into this category (witness the use of "herstory" for "history" and other unconventional terms in the introduction). However, what the author of this book has to say is so relevant, and so important, that I put aside my own personal bias and submerged myself in what she had to say. Ms. Jones' use of the feminine form of words to include the masculine ("priest" as included in "priestess," and "God" as included in "Goddess" being two examples) takes a bit of getting used to for more conservative readers, but is quite logical. It also avoids the common usage of "priest/ess" and "God/dess" by stressing the inclusiveness of these concepts. From the point of view of this author one of the unique things about the Lady of Avalon, whom she names Avallonia or Nolava, is that there are no pictorial representations of her. As well, there are no myths or legends specifically connected to her. Her name is unrecorded, as are her attributes. This permits each of her followers to experience her in their own, unique way. Ms. Jones does explain how SHE perceives this Lady, but accepts the fact that her vision may well be unique. Ms. Jones ties the Nine Morgens (sisters associated with the isle of Avalon) with a cross-cultural selection of feminine principles (Valkeries, Furies, faeries, dakinis, etc.). Personally, I find this a bit unsettling as each of these principles has its own characteristics which are not necessarily shared by the others. Admittedly, this is not a topic to which I am personally drawn (although perhaps the arrival of this book is an indication that I should look deeper into the topic), and therefore was not something which immediately caught my attention and drew me in. I did find it kind of slow going in the beginning. Still, I resolved to give it a fair hearing The exploration of the Lady of Avalon, and the experience of becoming one of her servants must be approached via the imagination since there is no documentation, no paintings or carvings, no songs or myths or legends to serve as a template. Ms. Jones and her compatriots are creating (rather than re- creating) a way of life which has been missing from our world for a very long time. Although the Isle of Avalon is mythical its physical presence in our world has, for a very long time, been embodied in the physical location of Glastonbury. There are many sacred sites in the vicinity, representing various mythic cycles, both Pagan and Christian. The presence of these sites is capable of stirring up emotions, and revealing insights for many people, of various religions and philosophical backgrounds. Each individual receives their appropriate revelations in terms they can understand and relate to. Ms. Jones is an excellent story teller. Her "Creation Herstory of the Isle of Avalon" is fascinating and compelling. This book is not one to be approached lightly or in an off-hand manner. You need to be able to devote some time and energy to this book. Such devotion, however, will be more than amply repaid. ===== ===== REVIEW: AND BANISH WITH LAUGHTER ===== by Mike Gleason ===== And Banish With Laughter by Soror Diotima Published 2006 by Konton Publishing Paperback 267 pages ISBN 4903462056 See this book at Amazon: http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=4903462056 Please understand from the very beginning that Diotima is, among many other things, a chaos magician and that (simple) fact colors her perceptions and her presentations. If you are one of those individuals who have a craving for the logical and "scientific" approach to things, you may find this book difficult to appreciate. Diotima strives, how successfully is for the reader to determine, to make one think. She isn't interested, as far as I can tell, in readers thinking like her; she just wants them thinking. And, since most folks don't do that too often, it may be a novel experience for many. In spite of the image the title may conjure up, this is not a particularly humorous book. It is a provoking book. Its intent is to provoke thought, which it does quite nicely, in my opinion. Along the way it may, depending upon your personal understanding (or "take") of the various topics under discussion, also provoke outrage, indignation, and/or confusion. This is not, necessarily, a bad thing. This is a collection of essays with only a couple of connections throughout. The most obvious connection is, of course, the authorship. A corollary to that is the mindset of the author (i.e., being a Chaos magician). But as you read these short essays you mind find other connections. I say "may" because some readers will see such connections (whether they exist in "reality" is a moot point) and some won't. As I add books to my library I try (how successfully is open to debate) to place them in categories (e.g., Wicca, magick, fiction, non-fiction, reference, etc.). Some books, and this is one, are harder to place. I finally ended up placing it in my "philosophy" sections, although it doesn't fit neatly into any one category. If you want to stretch your mind, or if you want to look at things from other folks' perspectives, this book will start you on that path (or help you continue along the way). This book is not only for reading. It is for discussing - with friends, with coven- mates, and with your own individuality. [04] ========= ========= FLAMEKEEPING ========= DREAMS OF PERFECTION AND EGO ========= by HeartShadow ========= HeartShadow is following her own religious path. She calls it FlameKeeping. This regular column will present articles on FlameKeeping, many taken from HeartShadow's FlameKeeping blog at: http://flamekeeping.blogspot.com/ ===== ===== Dreams of Perfection and Ego ===== We all carry multiple selves with us. The Hero. The Lover. When we interact with other people, each person has a self that speaks, and hears, and obscures the truth behind idealizations. The Winner. The Loser. We all do this, to an extent, and we treasure those dreams of ourselves, both the good and the bad. The Pious. The Sinner. When we find ourselves without masks, without a role to play, we are often struck silent with fear or confusion. The Strong Man. The Hermit. Seeing a true picture of ourselves, or even a truer picture than previously seen, can be frightening in its intensity. Yet we are shackled by our illusions. They hold us in ways that keep us from truly changing, truly becoming better. "I am the Hero, I don't need to worry about ethics, I can't help but do what's right." "I am the Powerless, everything happens around me. I have no control and do no harm, for I do nothing." The more we use these illusions in our lives, the more they become our lives, and the harder change becomes. People expect certain attitudes, certain behaviors, and we act the part we've given ourselves to keep the peace and keep ourselves from seeing dissonance in our lives. As children, we learn certain feelings and actions are not acceptable. As we grow older, we incorporate both the spoken and unspoken norms of our society, holding to those beliefs and attitudes that cause us the least dissonance with ourselves. We find ways to make our actions fit our image of ourselves, no matter what the necessary justification to ourselves, and assume that other people see us as we see ourselves or as we desire ourselves to be seen. Even though the pieces don't always match, and the masks slip and stretch to cover us as we wish to be seen and not as how our actions brand us, we hold to the beliefs that we are what we wish to be and have no need to grow and change. We cannot change our true self, and become better people, until we realize who we are and how other people see us. Yet we fear our true selves. They are vulnerable, the reason for the masks in the first place. We can never fit completely into the proper role our society sets for us, the role we feel we should play yet do not. Do not show fear, weakness, ignorance, or anything else that does not fit the role we are to play in society. Especially to ourselves, we cannot show our true nature, for that nature does not match the nature we wish it to be. Our true selves cannot help but be weak, cannot help but have fear, cannot help but be ignorant. Not always, of course, but no one knows everything, fears nothing, and is undefeatable. It simply does not exist. So we hide our weaknesses with masks and shields, lying even to ourselves that we do not fear, or believing that no one will notice our fears. When we come to religion, to the Divine, we come with our masks, hoping to hide behind them, be accepted for them. But the Divine sees no masks, only the truth of each person. For many people, this is a terrifying experience, even as it is freeing. No masks, no illusions, no questions, just the real person standing there without covering before the Divine. And we find fear, both of ourselves and of the other, because we don't know how to live without our masks, and we don't know how to face the power of the Divine without the safety of our masks. All the thoughts of the masks, seeking to hide that which we dislike, pretend to be that which we are not, stills, and we find ourselves quiet, and alone with ourselves. There, quiet with ourselves, we find the Divine waiting for us to turn to It. Until we face ourselves, and see ourselves without our masks, we cannot easily face the Divine, because what we see is our own masks looking back at us, coloring everything we learn. ===== ===== Questions ===== * What are the masks you wear and why? * What dissonance do these masks cause in your life? * How do you drop your masks? How do you live without them? [05] ========= ========= SOFTWARE GADGETS: THE COLUMN ========= Interesting Items From The Software Gadgets Blog ========= http://softwaregadgets.gridspace.net/ ========= The Software Gadgets Blog aims to present a different "software gadget" every weekday. A software gadget is a program or addon that is both interesting and useful -- and often free. This column highlights three of the programs listed recently. Many more were listed and you'll find more gadgets like these added every week at the Software Gadgets Blog at: http://softwaregadgets.gridspace.net/ ===== ===== SITE MAPPING TOOL -- GENERATE A SITE MAP OF YOUR WEB SITE ===== Site maps are a formatted listing of all the public pages of your web site. Even you do not want to post a full site map on your web site for your visitors, they are useful for search engines like Google and Yahoo as they allow the engine to easily find and index all the pages on your web site no matter how deeply buried they are. There are a number of high priced programs that will generate a site map for you -- or you can use AuditMyPc.com's free Site Map Generator. It's a Java program that runs from their web site and spiders your web site to create a site map. It's not quite click and go, but the generator's web site gives clear instructions on what the various options will do. From the Site Map Generator's web page: You'll love the report that is generated by this site mapping and orphan url tool which includes the following: * Table of contents - Site information and timestamp that the sitemaps were created. * Broken Link Report - Web pages that link to or contain links to pages that do not exist * Listing of non http links - these include links such a javascript links, etc. * Yahoo Sitemap Generator - Provides a list of URLs in HTML or Plain Text which can be used for submitting to search engines such as Yahoo. * Sitemaps for websites - Creates sitemaps that can be included into your website for bots and visitors. * Mimetype URL stats - Includes items such as image type and count, text, html etc. * Sitemaps Stats - URLs by results, such as current state of page, skipped, etc. If you have a web site, and do not have a current site map, visit this tool's web page now and get one. Rating: 4.5 Operating System: Any with current version of Java License: Free Price: Free Version: 1.42 Web Site: http://www.auditmypc.com/site-maps.asp ===== ===== SMARTSTARTMENU -- A START MENU REPLACEMENT FOR KEYBOARDERS ===== If you prefer the keyboard to the mouse or dislike the apparently random nature of the Start Menu, SmartStartMenu may be for you. It's an "address bar" like area for your taskbar (or desktop) that lets you start programs and other items in your start menu by typing their name (or even a few letters of their name if you set things up that way). You can even have it scan other folders if you don't keep everything in your start menu. It is a replacement for both the start menu and the run box. Here's the feature list from the SmartStartMenu web site: * FREE world class product with no hooks or marketing schemes! * User configurable file types and locations that allows you to choose what gets scanned. * Specific support for .lnk (shortcuts) and .url (favorites) file types so the working folder, arguments, and other options are used when launched. * Type-ahead support to instantly show you what items match your criteria. * Run system commands and programs found on the PATH. * Open folders using ‘drive letter', UNC, and URL based paths. * Implemented as a toolbar to cleanly integrate with your desktop. (Allows resizing and floating!) * ‘Start', ‘Word Start' and ‘All' Sub-string matching modes. * ‘First', ‘MRU', ‘MFU' Auto-Selection modes integrated with the system's ‘User Assist' data. * Optional History listing supported for commands launched but not found in the scan. * Optional Folder listing supported for paths typed as criteria. * Manual scan refresh and option to auto-refresh at startup. * HTML style Windows help file with access via F1. * Global hot-key (can be disabled) for fast access via the keyboard. * Explorer context menu extension that gives you CopyPath and Open in DOS box menu items. * Runs on Windows 2000, Windows XP (32bit & 64bit), and Windows 2003 Server. * Requires less than 2 megs of disk space. * Full featured (MSI) install and uninstall support. Personally, I still prefer Find and Run Robot, but the taskbar integration is very nice. This keeps the program always available, but out of the way. Rating: 4.0 Operating System: Windows 2000, XP, 2003 License: Freeware Price: Free Version: 1.53 Web Site: http://www.planetharrington.com/products/smartstartmenu/index.htm ===== ===== Documeron -- Recent Documents Superpowered ===== Have you ever been able to remember working on a specific document on Tuesday or Wednesday three weeks ago -- but had no idea what you called the document or what directory it ended up in? And did you need that document right now because a client or your boss is breathing down your neck? Did you feel like a fool madly bring up directory after directory hoping one of the file names would ring a bell in your mind? Documeron can help end such frustrating experiences. This program runs in the Windows system tray and acts like a superpowered Recent Documents. It stores references to all the documents you open in a database. Then when you need to find a document, it presents you with a list of documents sorted by time. It's easy to search for a document you created on the last Monday in February, for example. From the Documeron web site: Documeron constantly traces the documents you work. A link to every document is placed in a list. It is possible to perform operations, such as classifying, filtering by a date and type of the document, exporting, and many others. Documeron "bears in mind" even deleted documents. The product has a document list emptying function and password security to browse and launch Documeron. Documeron isn't perfect and it isn't a program everyone needs, but if you work on a lot of different documents every day and sometimes need to find one you worked on a few weeks ago quickly, this program may be exactly what you need. Rating: 4.0 Operating System: Windows 98 - Windows Vista License: Freeware Price: Free Version: 2.1 Web Site: http://www.tamedos.com/ [06] ========= ========= From the Spell Grimoire: ========= TO EASE PAIN AND RENEW HOPE ========= This spell can be performed to ease the pain of a broken relationship, divorce, death of a loved one or other painful circumstance and to build and renew a sense of hope in the future. The ingredients you will need are: One Black Candle 3 Pieces of Amethyst Vetivert Oil One White Candle 3 Pieces of Rose Quartz Lotus Oil At Sunset on the night of the Full Moon, take the Black Candle and inscribe with a short description of your problem, i.e. divorce, break-up, death, etc. Annoint the Candle with Vetivert oil and charge it. Set the candle in a holder on your altar. Take the three pieces of amethyst and hold in your hand. Visualize your pain and pour it into the stones. Place the stones in a circle around the base of the candle holder and light the candle. Visualize the pain leaving you. Allow the candle to burn down one third of the way and then extinguish. Take one of the pieces of amethyst outside. Hold it into your hand and again see and feel your pain transferring to the stone. Then take the stone and throw it from you with all your might. Never take this stone up again. Repeat this spell for the next two nights, until the candle has completely burned down, and the amethyst stones are gone. Take any remaining wax from the candle and bury off of your property. At Sunrise on the morning of the New Moon, take the White Candle and inscribe with the word "hope". Annoint the candle with Lotus oil and charge it. Set the candle in a holder on your altar. Take the three pieces of rose quartz and hold in your hand. Visualize a positive future for yourself. See yourself living, laughing, and enjoying life. Place the stones in a circle around the base of the candle holder and light the candle. Visualize and feel a strong sense of hope and expectancy coming to you. Allow the candle to burn down one third of the way and then extinguish. Repeat this spell for the next two nights, until the candle has completely burned down. Take the rose quartz pieces and place one in your purse, pocket, medicine bag, or amulet to be carried with you. Place another by a window sill in a sunny room. Take the last piece and bury it by a tree in your yard as an offering. If you don't have a yard, you may bury it in a flower pot or plant in your home or place outside the entrance of your home. Be patient...it takes time for pain to come to an end, but this spell will set you well on your way. === === About This Spell === This spell is taken from The Cauldron's Spell Grimoire, a collection of basic spells available on The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's web site. You'll find more spells at: http://www.ecauldron.com/spells/index.php [07] ========= ========= From the Cauldron Cookbook: ========= MILKMAID'S BLESSING ========= submitted by Cyn ========= === Ingredients 3/4 cup softened butter 3/4 cup soft goat cheese 1-2 T honey 1/2 tsp cardomom === Directions Blend all this together well and mound in a pretty dish. Put it on the table with an assortment of crackers and veggie sticks. === === About This Recipe === This recipe is taken from the Cauldron Cookbook, a growing collection of recipes submitted by members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. You'll find more recipes at: http://www.ecauldron.com/cookbook/index.php [08] ========= ========= Cauldron Info ========= SUPPORT THE CAULDRON BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP ========= The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum was founded in December 1997 to provide a friendly but serious discussion area for Pagans on the Internet. We've grown a bit over the years. We now have an active message area, a large web site with around 700 pages of information (including over 300 book and divination deck reviews), and a monthly email newsletter. To continue to provide and expand these services, The Cauldron needs lots of volunteer help from our members and supporters. Here are some of the things members and supporters can do to help The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum thrive: ===== ===== Actively Participate In Our Message Board ===== While our new message board welcomes readers, we encourage members to actively participate by posting their comments and views in our discussions. One of the easiest ways to help The Cauldron is to actively participate in our message board. The staff especially appreciates members who start new topics for discussion based on their own questions, opinions, or interests. http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/ ===== ===== Articles! Essays! Tutorials! ===== We are in constant need of original, well-written and accurate articles, essays, tutorials, and other written items for both our web site and for our Cauldron and Candle newsletter. There's no real limit on length for web site articles. Here are a few areas in which we always need articles: * information on the beliefs and theology of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * information on holidays and festivals of the various Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions * recipes for oils, incenses, and food for the various Pagan holidays * magick, spells, and ritual information * herbal information * positive articles on dealing with other faiths * information on historical pagan cultures * editorial/opinion pieces Non-Wiccan material is stressed not because we don't want Wiccan material but because good non-Wiccan material has been hard to find. We have a web form you can use to submit an article for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/bnbarticleform.php ===== ===== Book Reviews ===== While The Cauldron receives some review copies from a couple of Pagan publishers, there are many books that can only be reviewed on our web site if a member has a copy and writes a good, objective review. The Cauldron is interested in reviews on the more academic books used by reconstructionist Pagan religions as well as on the books one finds on the Pagan/New Age shelf in the bookstore. We have a web form you can use to submit a book review for consideration: http://www.ecauldron.com/bnbbkreviewform.php ===== ===== Graphic Assistance ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum is purposely a low graphics site as we value page download speed over flashy graphics. However, we are always willing to talk with artists who have ideas for well-designed small graphics (small in both physical dimensions and file size) that might enhance a specific article or page. ===== ===== Invite Your Friends ===== If you have friends or acquaintances who you believe would find The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum useful, please tell them about our site. If you are active in our message board and have friends who might enjoy them or have information to contribute, please invite them. ===== ===== Link To The Cauldron ===== If you have a web site where linking to The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum would be appropriate, simply providing a link to this web site is a big help. Our Link to this Site page explains how you can do this if you need help or want some simple graphic buttons to use: http://www.ecauldron.com/linktous.php ===== ===== Donations ===== As The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum uses as many free services as possible, our need for money to operate our site is currently lower than our need for the many items we list above. However, if you have a few dollars to spare, we would be honored to have your help in paying for our web site. You can donate by using either PayPal or the Amazon Honor System links below (we get about 85% of what you donate). Donate via PayPal http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php Donate via Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN ===== ===== Amazon Purchases ===== The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum also receives a small percentage (usually 5%) from most items purchased from Amazon.com when you go to Amazon.com from one of the links to Amazon on our web site. If you purchase a lot of books, CDs, and other items from Amazon.com as many members do, going to Amazon.com through one of our links when you are going to make a purchase there is a painless way to help fund this web site. http://www.ecauldron.com/zamazon.php If you are a regular user of the US version of Amazon, you can help The Cauldron by replacing the URL of your ebay bookmark in your browser with the above link so that TC gets credit every time you visit Amazon.com. To do this in Internet Explorer or Firefox, find Amazon in your bookmark list. RIGHT click on it and select Properties from the popup menu which will appear. A dialog box describing your bookmark will appear. You'll see the standard Amazon url -- probably http://www.amazon.com/ -- in an edit box (labeled "Location" in FireFox and "URL" in IE). Erase that url completely and replace with one listed above, then click on OK. If you use Amazon UK, you can use this address http://www.ecauldron.com/zamazonuk.php If you use Amazon Canada, you can use this addess: http://www.ecauldron.com/zamazonca.php ===== ===== Ebay Purchases ===== Are you an Ebay user? Ebay has a new program that pays affiliates a small percent of the winning bid if the winning bidder enters ebay from an affiliate link (some like how our Amazon.com affiliate program works). So if you visit the US version ebay via the following link, the Cauldron will get credit for your bids: http://www.ecauldron.com/zebay.php If you are a regular user of the US version of ebay, you can help The Cauldron by replacing the URL of your ebay bookmark in your browser with the above link so that TC gets credit every time you visit ebay. To do this in Internet Explorer or Firefox, find ebay in your bookmark list. RIGHT click on it and select Properties from the popup menu which will appear. A dialog box describing your bookmark will appear. You'll see the standard ebay url -- probably http://www.ebay.com/ -- in an edit box (labeled "Location" in FireFox and "URL" in IE). Erase that url completely and replace with one listed above, then click on OK. ===== ===== Have Questions or Suggestions? ===== If you have specific questions, proposals or other ideas we haven't mentioned here, please email them to rssapphire00@ecauldron.GETRIDOFEME.com. (Unfortunately, Randall has to answer general "Tell me more?" type questions with a request for a more specific question. He's not trying to be rude, he just can't think of anything general and useful to say that isn't said here.) [09] ========= ========= NEWSLETTER INFORMATION ========= (Including how to subscribe and unsubscribe) ========= Cauldron and Candle is a free publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. The Cauldron intends to publish this newsletter once a month and often actually succeeds in doing so. We tried to publish it twice a month for a while, but real life interfered too often. This issue of Cauldron and Candle as a whole is copyright (c) 2007 by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum. Copyrights on individual items in this newsletter are retained by their author, please contact the editors if you need to contact an author for permission to reprint an article and the editors will do their best to put you in touch with him or her. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of newsletter, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum, or its staff. Publication of an article in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the authors position or any products and companies mentioned therein. No one involved in producing this newsletter has any money to speak of so suing us if you don't like something we do is a waste of time and money. ===== ===== HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE OR CHANGE EMAIL ADDRESS ===== You are receiving a copy of this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. You can subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter via your web browser at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cauldronandcandle/join Or you can unsubscribe via email by sending a blank message to cauldronandcandle-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Be sure to send this message from the email account actually subscribed to the newsletter. If you have trouble unsubscribing by email, please use the web browser method mentioned above. If you need to change your subscription to a new email address, unsubscribe your old email address and subscribe your new email address. Note that you have to make these changes yourself. Yahoo Groups does not allow the list owner to make them for you. ===== ===== NEWSLETTER WEB SITE AND BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE ===== The Cauldron and Candle web site contains information on this newsletter and an archive of back issues. http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/ ===== ===== PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE ===== If you have Pagan friends who you believe would be interested in Cauldron and Candle please invite them to subscribe. You can either drop them a note yourself or -- better yet -- send them one of The Cauldron's email postcards with the information. You are also welcome to forward a copies of this newsletter to interested friends and associates provided you forward the entire newsletter. ===== ===== SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ===== Don't forget that your suggestions for this newsletter are always welcome, either posted on the message board or via email to LyricFox (lyricfox01@ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com) or Randall Sapphire (rssapphire01@.ecauldron.GETRIDOFME.com). Typos are, as usual, courtesy of the Goddess Eris.

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